Last Updated on 25 July, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

Dogs are our buddies, our pals, and our family. Many dog owners want to take their furry pals on all their adventures – we get it! There are a few necessities that you should bring if you decide to go on a hike with your pup to keep them safe, happy, and healthy.

If you’re wondering what to bring on a hike with your dog, here are the essentials:

• Leash
• Collar & Harness
• Water & Water Dish
• Poo Bags

Additional equipment includes training treats, a food dish, extra food, a mat, a tick remover, a medical kit, an airlift harness, a towel, and a post-hike treat. 

Below, I’ll cover everything you should bring on a hike with your dog, starting with the essentials and ending with some add-ons and extras that are sure to make your dog’s tail wag!

This post includes affiliate links, but rest assured that we only recommend items we would use ourselves. If you choose to make a purchase, we receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. There are no sponsorships; this is just the truth about our favorite finds.

Hiking with dogs: Yay or nay?

Before we get into what to bring on a hike with your dog, let’s talk about whether or not you should leave Fido at home.

According to an article from the Wildlife Society Bulletin, hikers with dogs create greater senses of alertness in wild animals and increase the distance they move once they flush from their position.

In other words, hikers with dogs disturb the peace of nature.

On the other side of the argument, another study in the Journal of Biological Conservation found similar reactions to animals when hikers alone were out on the trails. So, the debate remains – should you hike with your dog? Let’s take a closer look at some of the pros and cons.

Pros Of Bringing Your Dog On Your Hike

Whether you have a 5-pound or 150-pound dog, they probably aren’t happy about being left at home. Let’s face it; we’re not excited about it either!

Here are some positive things about bringing your dog on a day hike:

• You build a stronger bond with your dog.
• You and your dog get exercise.
• It’s an opportunity to train your dog around distractions.
• You stimulate your dog’s senses by bringing them into a new environment.
• If you hike alone, dogs can give you a sense of safety and security.

By the way, if you hike alone, you can head over to our guide on how to hike alone for safety tips and how to feel confident when trekking through the wilds by yourself.

Cons Of Bringing Your Dog On A Hike

Our furry pals are always by our side, but sometimes, bringing your dog on a hike is a bad idea.

Here are some downsides to bringing your dog on a hike:

• You might have to pay more attention to your dog than the scenery
• You’ll have to carry extra gear for your dog
• If you have a reactive dog, you may run into other dogs or people, which can cause stress
• If your dog becomes injured, you may have to carry them out
• Dogs may cause wild animals to become more alert or aggressive, depending on the species and the situation

There are pros and cons to every situation. Some hikers feel that the pros outweigh the cons, while others are the opposite and leave their pups at home. If you want to bring your dog on your day hikes, keep reading to learn about all the essentials, as well as trail etiquette with dogs.

If wild animals are a concern while hiking with your pup, check out some of our guides on what to do if you run into an animal on your hike. It offers tips on how to handle the situation:

• moose
• black bear
• grizzly bear
• mountain lion
• wolves
• bobcat
• alligator
• wild boars
• coyote

Trail Etiquette With Dogs

In addition to knowing what to bring on a hike with your dog, knowing trail etiquette is almost as important. If you’re new to hiking in general, you may not be aware that there are a few niceties to follow while exploring the trails.

When you bring your four-legged pal on a hike, there are certain things you should keep in mind while enjoying nature.

The National Park Service has an excellent article about hiking etiquette. The SparkNotes of the report includes (Yes, SparkNotes. I’m old!):

• Hikers yield to horses 
• Bikers yield to hikers
• Horses yield to no one

In reality, bikers rarely yield to hikers. Usually, bikers will ring their bell to inform you they are approaching, and hikers move off the trail. 

These suggestions are for hikers, so let’s look at proper etiquette for hiking with dogs!

Know Your Dog

You might have the friendliest dog in the world, except when they see…fill in the blank. Maybe they’re reactive to males. Perhaps a specific breed of dog sets them off. Whatever it may be, know how your dog reacts to certain people and animals and their body language.

There’s nothing wrong with bringing a reactive dog on your hike. Let me repeat that. There’s nothing wrong with bringing your reactive dog on a hike! 

As long as you know your dog, what it reacts to, and how to handle the situation, you should never feel like you need to leave them at home just because they don’t get along with other dogs or people.

I used to have an 85-pound pit mix that was reactive to people and dogs. Poor fella was in a lousy situation for the first seven years of his life. I took him everywhere! Trail etiquette includes knowing how to handle your dog in different situations. This keeps you and your pup safe and happy, making the hike more enjoyable.

Read The Leash Laws

If the trail you plan to hike is dog-friendly, you’ll also want to check signs or online sources for the leash guidelines.

Some parks do not require your dog to be on a leash, but most do. When there is a leash law, follow the guidelines and keep your dog on a leash. Parks do not put these guidelines up to annoy dog owners. They are to keep your dog safe from wild animals and to help keep nature as natural as possible.

If you love to let your dog off-leash because it is super friendly to both people and dogs, be aware that not all people like dogs. Even if your dog is friendly, someone else’s dog may be very reactive. 

Check out our guide featuring the 10 best dog leashes for hiking dogs, where I explore my top 10 picks for hiking leashes. One of our favorites is the Ruffwear Crag Leash because it’s sturdy, reflective, and the perfect length (6 feet) for any leash law.

Pick Up After Your Dog

Any dog owner who’s been on a walk with their dog knows that they tend to do their business in the most inconvenient places and times, such as right on your neighbor’s lawn while they’re outside watching. Oops.

While on a day hike with your dog, pick up their poo and pack out the poop bags. It doesn’t help nature or other hikers if you pick up your dog’s poo and leave the bag just off the trail. Our article on why you should pick up your dog’s poo sheds light on the environmental impacts of dog doodoo, including its effects on keystone critters like wolves.

Read The Room

It’s not hard to tell dog lovers from those who would rather not come close to your dog. If someone looks afraid or moves way off the trail to avoid your dog, try to keep your dog close and pass quickly.

In addition to reading people, keep an eye on your dog’s body language and the body language of other dogs. Look for these signs that your dog or another dog is uncomfortable, fearful, or reactive:

• Yawning: Dogs yawn when they are uncomfortable with a situation. It is just one way that they relieve stress.
• Lip-licking: When a dog is stressed, it will lick its lips repeatedly.
• Barking: We may think our dogs just bark to bark, but repetitive barking can signify stress or anxiety.
• Ears back: When a dog is uncomfortable, it will pin its ears back.
• Growling: Many people, even dog owners, think that growling is bad behavior. This just isn’t true. If your dog growls, this is a GOOD sign. It means they are warning you that they are uncomfortable instead of simply biting.
• Hair raised: If your dog raises its fur, it may mean they are curious about something new. The dog feels threatened if the hair is lifted and accompanied by growling, hackles raised, or a wrinkled nose.
• Tail upright: Dogs that feel threatened will often raise their tails upright and may even wag their tails. Know the difference between a happy dog and one that feels frightened.

Have you ever considered taking your cat with you on a hike? If you’re already a fan of hiking with your dog, why not harness train your feline friend and join the growing number of cat owners who take their kitties on outdoor adventures?

In fact, we have a great article about harness training your cat to prepare them for the great outdoors. So, why wait? Get ready to explore the wilderness with your furry friends!

What To Bring On A Hike With Your Dog

Let’s get to the meat and potatoes of this article—what to bring on a hike with your dog. We all want our dogs to have a good time exploring nature, but we also want to be as prepared as possible to keep them happy and healthy.

First, we’ll discuss the bare necessities you need to hike with your dog.

The Essentials

In most cases, you must bring more than the necessities for your day hike. However, if you are familiar with the trail and it is a short hike, you can get away with just the necessities and worry about everything else after you return home.

Here is a list of “required” doggy gear for hiking with your pal on short hikes:

• Leash
• Collar/Harness (Check out our best dog hiking harness guide for our top picks!)
• Water 
• Water Dish (Yep, we’ve got a list of our favorite portable dog dishes for hiking!)
• Poop Bags

If your dog has the leptospirosis vaccine, it may be able to drink from running water sources in nature. If you know a clean stream along the trail, you can leave the water and water dish at home as long as your dog is vaccinated.

Just ensure they are drinking from running water sources, not stagnant water! Learn more about whether Dogs can drink from streams, rivers, or lakes while on a hike.

What To Bring On A Hike With Your Dog For Safety

If you’re anything like me, you must be prepared for every worst-case scenario possible. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to prepare for emergencies with your dog.

One way to properly prepare your dog is to bring the necessary jackets, life preservers, coats, and paw protection. The equipment you choose will depend mainly on the weather.

For cold weather, we suggest the following:

• Paw wax
• Trim the hair between your dog’s toes
• Jacket/coat

Cold weather affects some species of dogs more than others, but most dogs are generally equipped to withstand some cold weather. According to Texas A&M University, no set temperature is ‘too cold’ for dogs (Within reason – obviously, -40℉ is too cold!). 

The important thing is to watch for signs that your dog is too cold, such as shivering, biting at the toes, standing in a hunched position, tucking its tail between its legs, and pinning its ears back.

For warm weather, we suggest the following:

• Tick remover
• Life vests such as Astral’s Bird Dog Life Jacket
• Extra water
• Cooling vest

While cold weather carries the risk of hypothermia, warm weather comes with the hazard of overheating. Check on your dog frequently to make sure it is not overheating. When it’s hot, take your time and go at your own pace on the trail.

Pugs, bulldogs, boxers, Boston terriers, and Shih Tzus are particularly vulnerable to hot weather. Older and chunky dogs are also more susceptible than young and fit dogs. Consider using a cooling vest for these breeds of dogs. Learn more about cooling vest and which one is best for your dog!

Weather can certainly be a factor in preparing for your day hike, but a few pieces of gear are good to have with you no matter the weather.

Two of our most vital suggestions to keep you and your dog safe on any day hike include:

• Fido Pro Airlift Emergency Dog Rescue Sling or a dog backpack for smaller breeds
• First Aid Kit

Believe it or not, there are first-aid kits made specifically for dogs! The Adventure Medical Kits Trail Dog First Aid Kit comes with supplies specific to your pet and a pet first aid guide to help you understand how to treat your injured pup.

Gear up for your next hiking adventure with the ultimate guide on how to pack a first-aid kit, ensuring you’re prepared for any bumps, scrapes, or unexpected mishaps along the trail!

What To Bring On A Hike With Your Dog: Extras! 

We’ve reviewed the necessities and a few safety gear tips. Now, it’s on to the extras! Although this equipment and gear are not required on a hike, your pup will love you for having them!

Some of the extra things you can bring on your hike to make it more enjoyable for you and your pet include:

• Training Treats (We’ve got our top five whole-ingredient treat picks here!)
• Extra dog food and food dishes – this is important on longer hikes
• Mat for your dog to lie on while you rest
• Other training supplies (whistle, clicker)
• Your pup’s favorite fetch toy

Hikes are an excellent opportunity to train your dog to avoid distractions. Bring plenty of dog treats and praise your dog when it does a good sit or look!

Post-Hike Recommendations

Once the hike is over and you and your dog are ready to hit the road and head home, you can do some things before and during the car ride to reward your pet for a job well done.

Here are some of our suggestions based on our hiking experience with dogs:

• Paw Cleaner – this helps when the trail gets muddy! 
• Towel – Whether your dog loves the water or rolling in mud, a towel is handy after a hike.
• Bone or treat for the car ride – your dog will thank you!
• Car seat sling – If you’re worried your dog will get your car dirty, you can purchase a hammock such as a Quilted Water Resistant Hammock Car Seat Cover. This helps secure your dog so they are not walking around while you are driving.

These items aren’t necessary for your hike, but they help conclude the adventure by rewarding your dog and making the day memorable for you and your four-legged friend.

That’s A Wrap!

Hiking with your dog is a rewarding experience. You and your dog get exercise, breathe fresh air, and enjoy each other’s company.

Packing for a day hike is slightly different when you bring your pet. You must pack extra gear to ensure your dog is comfortable, healthy, happy, and safe.

Want to know more about what to pack for humans? Read all about what to pack in your hiking bag here!

To recap, the gear you should bring on a hike with your dog includes the following:

• Leash
• Reflective collar or harness
• Water and water dish
• Poo bags
• Paw wax (cold weather)
• Jacket/coat (cold weather)
• Tick remover
• Life vest
• Extra water
• Rescue sling (We recommend Fido!)
• First-aid kit
• Training treats
• Food and food dishes
• Mat or blanket
• Toy
• Paw cleaner
• Towel
• Car hammock
• Post-hike treat/bone

Consider using this as a packing list! You can leave some of this equipment at home for specific situations. For example, you don’t need your dog’s jacket if it’s hot. If your dog is vaccinated and you know there is a freshwater source along a short trail, you can bring less water.

The most important thing you can do for your dog on a hike is to prepare for everything. Your dog depends on you to keep them safe and happy, so do what you can to make your walk enjoyable with your best friend!

Until next time, give your furbag an extra pet from us, and keep exploring this beautiful world together. For more pet tips while hiking, check out the Dirtbags with Furbags traveling with pets blog! Happy trails means happy tails!